Monterey Peninsula students declare 'Zero Waste Week'

Eight Monterey Peninsula schools are banding together to promote ocean conservation awareness and help curb pollution in the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.

March 17-23 is being designated as "Zero Waste Week" on eight Peninsula school campuses — All Saints' Day School, Carmel High School, Carmel Middle School, Carmel River School, Tularcitos Elementary School and Stevenson School.

Each school has been recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an Ocean Guardian School. The program provides small grants to promote conservatorship of the local watershed and marine environment.

Each school participating in "Zero Waste Week" has been active in raising awareness of the collective effort, said Seaberry Nachbar, education coordinator for the office of the National Marine Sanctuaries, which is based Monterey.

The group gave posters to that are being hung at participating campuses and throughout the community. Students have written letters to local businesses encouraging them to participate in the effort.

Students have also created public service announcements for radio and the Internet.

Nachbar said each school has made individual efforts to up the ante on campus.

River School, for example, will focus on eliminating waste from school lunches by encouraging students not to use straws.

At All Saints', organizers will provide a cloth napkin for each student to use instead of paper napkins.

Stevenson School will focus on parents, asking them not to use plastic sandwich bags to pack lunches. The school is encouraging parents to try using reusable containers instead.

Nachbar said schools are documenting waste results and will conduct audits to determine waste reduction at each campus.

She credited All Saints' School as the linchpin for the local effort. Teacher Peter Hiller has coordinated the project.

Last week students asked the Carmel City Council to adopt Zero Waste Week on behalf of the city. Carmel Mayor Jason Burnett sent students a letter of encouragement and support.

"It's incredible to see when you provide a small amount of money and encouragement to these schools, what incredible things they will do with it," Nachbar said. "The students are eager to help protect the ocean. You provide just a little bit and you can make a huge impact."